Mumbai, Sep 15 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading in the red -- down 193 points or 0.71 percent in the pre-afternoon trade session Monday, as stocks like metal, capital goods plunged.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,998.07 points, was trading at 26,867.70 points (11.30 a.m.), down 193.34 points or 0.71 percent from the previous day's close at 27,061.04 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 26,998.07 points and a low of 26,813.02 points in the pre-afternoon trade session.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was range bound around 8,000-mark. However, it was also trading in the red. It was down 57.05 points or 0.70 percent at 8,048.45 points.

Metal, capital goods and bank stocks sustained heavy selling pressure, while automobile, healthcare and consumer durables stocks rose.

The S&P BSE metal index was down 159.02 points, capital goods slipped by 110.78 points and bank index lost 98.32 points. While healthcare index was up 85.82 points.